2006-11-05 07:10:23 · 4 answers · asked by kate_souter 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
By electrickery of course! Nah basically in layman's terms the electrical energy passing through the gas inside the tube causes the gas to give off photons of light. There is no wire element getting hot and glowing, just gas. Different gas equals different colour light think of "neon lights". Others stuff is also put in along side the gas such as metal elements and often sodium. Street lamps are usually "sodium" bulbs. If you want to find out more use the term "gas discharge lamp" or similar and you'll be more successful in your searches.
this is worth a look http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gas_discharge
2006-11-05 07:46:14 · answer #1 · answered by Lost soul 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is a three step process.
There is a gas in the tube that glows when an electric current is passed through it - this is he same as the sodium street light. However this only produces light of one colour and nobody wants to live in a monochromatic world.
The inside of the tube is coated with a material that absorbs the light emitted from the gas and the fluoresces in response emitting light over a much broader range of wavelengths making the light look white.
2006-11-05 19:45:13 · answer #2 · answered by Mark G 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Electricity passes through a near vacuum with just a trace of mercury in it, inside the tube and gives off U.V. light. The coating inside the tube fluoresces and this gives off the visible light.
2006-11-07 08:38:03 · answer #3 · answered by bo nidle 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
These are called defusers and are sold at DIY stores, but make sure you have the right one for your fitting.
2016-05-22 01:35:36 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋